All aboard....the Eastern Orient Express, with bookends in Bangkok and Singapore

[love_the_life]

The one thing we did do was to visit Gardens by the Bay as they are s new development since we were last here. We walked down to them and it was a pleasant stroll except lots of building going on and barriers up around the streets. They are also gearing up for NYE so lots of fencing ready to block off streets and areas.
The gardens on reclaimed land are a real eye-opener. The two large green houses and the 'tree' walk are the only parts with entry fees. The rest is free. Lots of locals and families there when we visited.
The Cloud Mountain is set up like a tropical mountain area (naturally) with waterfall and elevated walkway. Lush and green and cool.

 

[love_the_life]

The Flower Dome is touted as the largest glass conservatory in the world. Flowers seemed to be in rather short supply, displays were themed by location, the Australian garden, with kangaroo paws and grass trees,even a young eucalyptus; a South African garden; a Mediterranean garden with olive trees. There was also a baobab garden and succulent/cacti garden. It was quite impressive but what really took the cake was that it had been decked out as a winter wonderland with fake snow and snowmen for Christmas. The decorations were very popular photo backdrops for people!



There were some interesting art works as well.


And the outside 'trees' were impressive.

 

[love_the_life]

I think one of the downsides of the Sing IC is its pool. There just isn't enough seating and in the afternoon especially when people return from their daily activity it is impossible to find a spot. Even this morning, with a cool breeze, there are only a couple of loungers have not been nabbed. It's a bit like deckchair hogs on cruises. In comparison to the Chatrium the area is really poor. I guess that's to be expected given the premium on land and the limited space available.
One of the other things I am noticing this time is the patchy wifi in the hotel. Our room is particularly slow, although the lounge has a good strong signal.

 

[Pushka]

I can't even remember the pool? We'd just come from IC in Bali which has wonderful pools so I guess we didn't try finding it.

Sin IC is more of a city/shopping hotel I guess. More hedged in and lacking in space.

 

[love_the_life]

I can't even remember the pool? We'd just come from IC in Bali which has wonderful pools so I guess we didn't try finding it.

Sin IC is more of a city/shopping hotel I guess. More hedged in and lacking in space.

Agree, this is a city hotel rather than a resort so the pool is perhaps not seen as hugely important.

 

[love_the_life]

Checked out and a quick taxi ride to the airport. We were through immigration within half an hour of leaving the hotel so it was pretty painless. In lounge with G & T in hand! The lounge is very quiet at the moment but sure it will heat up soon. Think I recognise the chairs from Australia. Looking for cheese but no success as yet

 

[love_the_life]

Found the cashews and chips but no cheese board unfortunately.
I think C18 was the furthest, walking, walking, walking
Eventually there, through security and boarded within a few minutes. Looked like a large number of ankle biters on the flight but they all seemed to be in Y.
J cabin was almost full as well.

 

[love_the_life]

Now, what can I say about the flight????
Certainly not one of our better experiences, especially when compared to the flight over a couple of weeks back.
When I checked, the meals were listed as dinner and refreshment. As I had trouble accessing the booking online we did not pre-order our meal. What was offered was what was quaintly referred to as supper. One, (very) small plate. MrLtL chose a lemon grass chicken burger with spiced salad leaves. Two bites and it was gone. He then asked for a cheese plate - better but not large by any stretch of the imagination. A couple of glasses of red and that was it! A glass of bubbly on boarding but no pre-dinner drink service. No coffee or tea but strangely the offer of muscat (accepted but nothing to have it with).
No doubt the argument will be made that passengers don't want a larger meal and just want to sleep. Only 2 people around us did that. And anyway it was only 8pm. Service was a bit like 'wham bang', done and dusted!
Breakfast was equally meagre (suppose an improvement on the single ham and cheese croissant though). There was a choice (choose one), fruit, muesli or baked egg concoction. Why, oh why, do they insist on adding those button mushrooms to eggs when so many people don't like them? Again plonked down on the tray. One cup of coffee, no offer of another, then ate whisked away.
The cabin crew were what I would call past-mature. Overall the oldest I've seen. In no way did they make you feel at all special. CSM came by for his mandatory welcome, but compared with our QF5 flight, pretty lacklustre all round. Having paid a fair bit for the flight, it was not a great experience.
/Rant over

 

[love_the_life]

Watch out all you J and WP flyers. The masses are taking over! This greeted us this morning at Qd Sydney. Be afraid, very afraid

 

[love_the_life]

And it's going to get busy in here! Already lots of squealing little ones! Let me add to that....many squealers

 

[LadyC]

Thanks for the TR - have been really enjoying it. I would love to do a train journey one day - the old Orient Express perhaps. The Gardens by the Bay in Singapore are great. I went there in October and really enjoyed it.

 

[love_the_life]

Hi LadyC, thanks for the comment. We considered the Venice Simplon train in the past but as the compartments share bathrooms, MrLtL was less than eager, so we did this one instead. In many ways it is similar to the Indian Pacific train gold class, but with better bathrooms (especially) and superior dining. It would be interesting to compare it with Platinum class.
Train travel is such fun, you meet great people and it is a great time to unwind and take in the scenery without feeling guilty.
You're right about Gardens by the Bay. We're really glad we visited them. I love the Botanical Gardens as well.

 

[love_the_life]

Well, time to end this TR. Home again. A Dash8 flight from Sydney - Canberra, uneventful even though we don't like flying on them much. All the 717s had been taken off the route over Christmas, so no choice really, except the bus!
We had a great time, enjoyed the three sections of the trip (Bangkok, the train and Singapore) and now have to find a new trip to plan :mrgreen:

 

[Pushka]

Good to hear you are back safe and sound. After the first hour of being back I want to leave again.

Planning a next trip is a great cure for that.

Enjoy the fireworks.

 

[love_the_life]

And enjoy the snorkelling and the wild parties :mrgreen: